My Favorite Things – Beauty and Fashion 2016

I know I said my next post would be about concerts, but guess what? My blog, my rules. So fuck it. I wanna write about all the beauty and fashion things I found this year that I super love.

I bet most of you think that when I’m bummed or stressed I opt for food and wine to self-soothe. I mean, you’re right, but I also drown my sorrows in beauty products. I buy a ridiculous amount of this stuff. I subscribe to beauty boxes, I try samples of everything. I have drawers full of products that I try but never use. I purge every so often and my sister or coworkers end up with a shit-ton of freebies.

While I try tons of products, I rarely stick with much of it. However, when I do find something I love, I’m hard pressed to ever let it go. I’ve been using the same brand of perfume since 2001, for fuck’s sake. (Angel Schlesser, if you’re interested. Light, fresh, clean, slightly woodsy. It’s my patented Ali smell.)

Basically, I’m saying I like things that make me pretty and smell good.

Confession: I Hate My Hair

Guys- this is a picture of 17 year old me. I used to have THE most amazing, thick, curly hair that did whatever I told it to do. My hair was the shit. This was not a perm. It took me 10 minutes to blow-dry and end up looking like that. Without even really trying! But I got old. And hormones invaded or some shit. I don’t know, but it’s now thin, wispy and wavy on a good day. On a bad day? It’s an unruly, limp bitch. I can’t even.

So when I was told about this product, I was goddamn giddy.

Keratin Complex Kera-Balm 3-in-1 Hair Balm– My sweet friend Rose introduced me to this. She’s literally got hair to die for. Long, thick, dark, shiny and full of body. She let me in on her hair secret weapon. She calls it “hair crack”. It’s thicker than conditioner, but thinner than lotion. A little goes a long way. Put it into towel-dried hair before blowdrying and watch the magic happen. My hairdresser literally said my hair has transformed. It’s smoother, more manageable, resists frizz and has some life to it. It’ also prolongs how long I go between washes. Bonus? It has a sweet, gentle coconut/beachy type smell. Rose gets it at her salon, but you can buy it on their site or on Amazon.

Organics Volumizing Foam – This little treat is new on the market but sold only in salons. My hairdresser just opened a new place and chose this line to offer. This is similar to a mousse, but lighter and airier. It adds lots of volume and control to hair without drying it out. Like the “hair crack”, just a couple pumps will do you and it smells divine. I’m not sure how to describe it – kinda musky but clean with slightly vanilla twinge.

I will never have 17-year-old-me hair again, but I can at least make it as sassy as possible.

You can find out more about the Organic line on their site. They don’t have a salon listing, but if you ask me nicely, I can grab some for you.

Makeup – My other love.

I have a drawer full of makeup. I have tons of eyeshadow palettes, lipsticks, glosses, blushes, eyeliners… I change up my look all the time, trying new things. Mike never notices that I change it all the time. He just likes it when we go out and do a dark, smokey eye. He’s a dude who appreciates a lady and her makeup. I can totes get behind that.

I am forever in search of the bestest products. My favorite line is Urban Decay. Highly pigmented shadows, the Naked palettes are amazing and creamy, dreamy lipsticks to die for. So it’s no wonder that they also have the most perfect foundation.

Urban Decay Naked One and Done Foundation – This is such a great, light foundation. It goes on easy and feels like it’s sheer coverage. But it’s not really sheer – it’s magic! It has light-deflecting properties that make skin look smooth and slightly glow-y. It’s weightless and feels like lotion rather than makeup. It’s one of those things I never leave the house without. You can order this direct from the Urban Decay site or find it at Ulta.

The other thing I never leave behind is mascara.

Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara – I’m usually skeptical of anything claiming to be “better than sex” because, as if. But hands down, this is best mascara I’ve ever tried. I have long lashes but they aren’t thick so I’m always looking for volume. This is a build-able formula, that allows for multiple coats. Most mascaras crap out by the third coat, giving creepy looking spider-leg lashes. But not this one. I typically put on 4-5. My lashes stay separated and non-clumpy. And the pigment is really, really black giving me a super-dramatic, falsie look.

Daniel Sadler Purple Velvet Waterproof Eyeliner – Everything about this eyeliner screams smokey eye. But it’s subtle. Black eyeliner is nice and dramatic, but can also be unforgiving and difficult to apply. This eyeliner is dark, but not black. Its this smokey gray-purple that adds definition without being harsh. The formula goes on really smooth, it’s easy to smudge and stays put. Plus it makes my green eyes pop.

Daniel Sandler is a UK company so getting this can be tricky. You can buy online direct from his site, but realize your paying in pounds and shipping may take a bit. It takes at least a week, sometimes two to get it.

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Face Wash – Phil-ooos-ooophyyy… isn’t just the talk on the cereal box anymore. The Philosophy collection of body products has tons of amazing things, but this is my fave. I cleanses, tones, moisturizes and removes makeup all in one bottle! No black shit left around your eyes. No drying out or “tight face”. It’s kind of pricy, but it seriously lasts. I’m on my second 8 oz bottle. I use it every morning in the shower. One will usually last around 8-9 months even with daily use. A little dab’ll do ya. Find it at Ulta, on Amazon or directly from Philosophy.

Lucky Jeans in Plus Sizes – HOW did I not know that Lucky Jeans had a plus-size line? And that they come in petite lengths? I feel as though as a bonafide shorty with major junk-in-the-trunk, I should have known this. I got a pair from Nordstrom’s on Black Friday and LOVE them. Soft and stretchy, faded to perfection and the right length. New bestest jeans!

That’s it for now. I’ve got more, but this post is loooong enough. I’ll save it for another “I’m feelin’ write-y” time.

I’m always looking for new stuff to try- what are some of your favorite things?